Concerns about services

All organisations providing community care and support services in West Sussex are committed to providing high-quality services.

If you think someone who lives in a care home or uses a domiciliary agency is at risk of harm, please make a safeguarding referral using the online safeguarding referral form (opens in a new window) on the West Sussex County Council website, or phone Adults’ CarePoint 01243 642121.

If your concern is less urgent, you need to use the complaints procedure of the organisation providing the service. You should first raise your concern with the owner or manager of the service, using their complaints procedure, so they can try to deal with your concerns. If that doesn’t work, the next step depends on how your service is paid for.

You have the right to move to another home or have another domiciliary care provider if you are not happy with the service you are receiving. This applies whether or not West Sussex County Council are helping with the fees. A social care worker will be able to give you or your relatives advice on how to make the arrangements to move.

Healthwatch West Sussex

Healthwatch West Sussex, your local watchdog for health and social care services across West Sussex, is available to make sure you have a say in important decisions and to find out where care is working well and where it could be improved.  Healthwatch record what you tell them, and share this anonymously with the people who make decisions about health and social care services.

Healthwatch are completely independent of local councils and the NHS, and value everyone’s experiences. There are a number of ways you can contact them or share your stories. You can call 0300 012 0122, email helpdesk@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk or visit the Healthwatch West Sussex website (opens in a new window), where you can find out about their latest events and find links to follow their social media channels to keep up-to-date with the latest health and social care news across West Sussex.

They also provide a free Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service, so if you need guidance on an NHS complaint, you can call 0300 012 0122 or email ihcas@healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk. 

Last updated: 17 July 2023